Rotterdam 2014 port tariffs kept at 2008 level

Over the past years the Port Authority discounted the port tariffs substantially in connection with the economic situation. Last year this was about 8.5%. Those annual discounts have now become structural. At the same time, the tariffs will rise by 1% next year compared with 2013. This brings the port tariffs for 2014 to precisely the same level as in 2008. This is what the Port of Rotterdam Authority decided following constructive consultation with the port business sector.

The parties also agreed to continue the existing discount for so-called transhipment containers in 2014. After they have arrived by sea-going vessel, transhipment containers are transported further by sea directly from the terminal. A number of agreements were also made on adjustments to the tariff structure in 2014 (such as equalising the tariffs for short sea and RoRo), and it was agreed that more of these kinds of reforms would be examined in the coming years. The basic principle is that on balance these will not result in an increase or decrease of the port tariffs.

The Sustainability Fund established last year will continue to exist. A total of € 5 million of the revenue from port tariffs is available in 2013 and 2014 for initiatives to make the port more sustainable. It was agreed now that € 2 million of that will be set aside to stimulate transport by rail.

Hans Smits, President and CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority: “Over the past few years we kept providing occasional discounts. By turning them into a permanent discount, we offer ship owners long-term clarity.”

Steven Lak, Deltalinqs chairman: “This is a wise move of the Port Authority and sends a strong signal to the market. The port business community is an important driver for the economy of Rotterdam and the Netherlands. That is why it is good to keep working on competitive port tariffs and other costs.”

Albert Thissen, president of the Association of Rotterdam Shipbrokers and Agents: “The Port of Rotterdam Authority has shown again that it appreciates the difficult situation the market is in. Increasing the tariffs moderately on the one side and making the discounts of the past a structural element on the other has created a good balance.”

Inland port tariffs

The agreements on the structural discount and the 1% indexation also apply to the inland port tariffs. The current environmental incentives for inland shipping also apply in 2014.

Market consultation

The Port Authority and Deltalinqs have a covenant concerning how sea port tariffs are set every year. Through structured market consultation, the sector meets the government’s desire for self-regulation of the tariffs. This consultation compares inflation, the market situation and economic developments, among other things. The tariffs apply for the sea ports of Rotterdam, Schiedam, Vlaardingen, Maassluis, Dordrecht and Moerdijk.

Port tariffs

Port tariffs are just one of the Port Authority’s sources of income and they are charged to the shipping companies that use Rotterdam. In 2012, the Port Authority received € 294 million in sea port tariffs and € 14 million in inland port tariffs. The other main source of income for the Port Authority, at € 292 million, comes from site rental and long-term leases.